Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Water and Winter Activities

Winter Activities

"Lake Effect Snow" is a term that Grand Traverse Resort & Spa knows well. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan's East Grand Traverse Bay, the Resort benefits from abundant snow throughout winter, often times starting as early as November and lasting until March.

To keep "cabin fever" at bay we offer a wide range of fun outdoor winter activities featuring cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. Bring your own gear or rent ours. 

Monday-Thursday, you'll find Winter Snow Sports Rentals at Adventure North in our Gallery of Shops.  Weekends, all the fun starts at our Clubhouse!

Enjoy the Fun of Winter Activities at the Clubhouse!

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has transformed our Clubhouse into a Winter Activities Center open to the public and Resort guests according to the following schedule.  Please note that Winter Activities are weather dependent, and take place when snow conditions permit.

*Due to limited snow on Resort grounds and predicted warm temperatures, winter activities at the Clubhouse are cancelled for the weekend of February 3rd. 


Open Through February 26, 2012
Saturday: 9:00am-7:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm

*Please see the Activity Hours and Important Notes below.

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Winter Activities

Snowmobile Rides (beginning January 7, 2012 snow conditions permitting)
20-minute guided ride: $25 per person. 10-minute kid’s ride: $10 per person. Managed by Blue Sky Rentals.

Saturday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Dog Sled Rides (snow conditions permitting)
20-minute guided ride: $65 per sled (weight capacity 350 pounds per sled; e.g. 2 parents + 1 child for $65 total)  Advance reservations recommended by calling 800-236-1577. Managed by Wiggi's Mountainside Huskies (Copemish)

Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Ice Skating
Bring your own or rent for $5/hr or $20/day.

Saturday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Snowshoeing
Bring your own or rent for $15/hr or $30/day.

Saturday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cross Country Skiing
Bring your own or rent for $10/hr or $25/day. 

Saturday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Bonfire
S’mores supplies for sale at The Grille.

Saturday: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Kid's Activities (snow conditions permitting)

  • Snowman Building Contest (at Noon)
  • Snow Castle Making & Tic Tac Toe in the Snow(at 1:00pm)
  • Artwork in the Snow (at 2:00pm)
  • S'mores and Campfire Games with Bogey Bear (at 3:00pm)

Saturday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Dining at The Grille (Menu to be announced)
Winter-themed menu available. Alcohol available (21+ yrs.). Complimentary board games available.

Saturday: 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm

*Important Notes:
• Shuttle service is provided from the Resort's Grand Lobby to the Clubhouse.
• Snow sports rentals and snowmobile rides are paid for at the Clubhouse Pro Shop desk. (231-534-6470)
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides are available off-property at nearby Antler Ridge Farm (Hoxsie Farm). Call in advance to schedule your sleigh ride. For information and reservations, call 231-267-5795. Complimentary shuttle service from the Resort's Grand Lobby is provided.
• There is no sledding or tubing at the Resort. Guests may visit nearby Mt. Holiday for downhill skiing, tubing and sledding. Complimentary shuttle is available from the Grand Lobby.

The Resort offers up to two kilometers of cross-country skiing on property, and guests have access to 75 kilometers along the nearby Vasa Pathway, plus a more challenging backcountry experience at the Sand Lakes Quiet Area.

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa also offers an ice skating rink on property.  Plus there are nearly 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails accessible from the Resort.

Ever wanted to feel the speed of a snowmobile? Grand Traverse Resort & Spa can put you on a sled that will take you through stunning natural scenery. Contact our snowmobile partner for details. 

- Blue Sky Rentals: www.bluesky-tvc.com or call 231-633-2583.

Summer Activities

Celebrate our region's abundant cherry orchards, visit one of several renowned wineries, or take a quick road trip to the picturesque fishing town of Leland. Stroll along the quaint streets of Downtown Traverse City and enjoy a a pleasant day of summer shopping in north Michigan. You can even take a guided stream fishing trip or a charter-boat fishing excursion on the Great Lakes.

If you haven't already heard, championship golf in the form of three exceptional courses awaits your arrival: The Bear by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player, and Spruce Run. Hiking, fishing, sailing, scuba diving, all available in the area, and so much more make Grand Traverse Resort & Spa the spring and summer destination.

Beach Club

Enjoy sunning and swimming at the Resort's private Beach Club on East Grand Traverse Bay between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Personal watercraft are available at the Beach Club to rent from Blue Sky Rentals, Inc.

Watersport Rentals
Spend a day splashing around and making waves with a watersport rental from Blue Sky Rentals. A variety of rental options are available at The Shores, our private beach club located directly on beautiful East Grand Traverse Bay. Please note, The Shores and watersport rentals are available only to Resort guests and Club Members.

2011 Rental Rates   1/2 Hour    1 Hour    2 Hours    4 Hours    8 Hours
Jet Ski*                  $60           $95        $180         $300        $425
Jet Boat*                $70           $120      $200         $325        $450
Pontoon Boat*         N/A           $100      $180         $275        $425
Ski Boat*                N/A           $130      $200         $325        $475
Water Trampoline   $40           $60        $100         $150        $225
Paddle Boat            N/A           $25        $40           $75         $125
Kayak                   N/A           $15        $20           $30         $50
2-Person Kayak      N/A           $20        $30           $50         $75 

*Fuel surcharge may apply.

To reserve a watercraft, call Blue Sky Rentals at the Resort's Beach Club at 231-534-6120 or visit www.bluesky-tvc.com .